The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the 2025 provisional WASSCE results, revealing a sharp decline in performance across all core subjects. Fresh data from the examining body shows a dramatic increase in failure rates, with the number of candidates scoring Grade F9 rising steeply compared to 2024.
Core Mathematics recorded the most alarming downturn, with the failure rate soaring from 6.10% in 2024 to 26.77% in 2025 nearly a fourfold jump. Social Studies also saw a significant slump, with failures rising from 9.55% to 27.50%, making it one of the worst-performing subjects this year. The remaining core subjects followed the same trajectory: Integrated Science climbed from 7.12% to 16.05%, while English Language rose from 5.88% to 12.86%.
In total, 461,736 candidates sat for the 2025 examination, with the results pointing to a worrying decline in foundational competencies.
This year’s results release was overshadowed by a sweeping crackdown on examination malpractice. WAEC announced strict sanctions affecting thousands of candidates, several schools, and dozens of education professionals.
Key sanctions include:
- 6,295 candidates had subject results canceled for bringing unauthorized materials into examination halls.
- 653 candidates had their entire results canceled after being caught with mobile phones.
- 908 candidates had subject results withheld pending investigations.
- 158 candidates had their full results withheld for suspected examination offences.
- 185 schools are under investigation for alleged collusion.
WAEC also disclosed that 35 individuals, including 19 teachers, have been implicated in actions that compromised exam integrity. Several of them have already been prosecuted and handed fines or custodial sentences.
